Combination footwear removal device, cane and object retriever

ABSTRACT

An easy to use, low cost footwear removal device, walking cane and object retriever formed by attaching a footwear removal member between the first and second ends of an elongated member, a support member attached to the second end of the elongated member, and a handle attached to the first end of the elongated member. The footwear removal device can also be used as a reliable walking cane that provides the user with superior support and stability, or as an object retrieval tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of Invention

This invention relates to an apparatus, which is a combination footwear removal device, walking cane and object retriever.

B. Description of the Prior Art

Boot removers or boot jacks are fairly well known in the art. Typically, a boot remover includes at least one element adapted to grip or otherwise secure an article of footwear and aid the owner in removing the article off the owner's foot. Some boot removers include movable gripping arms (or “jaws”) that grasp the heel of a boot in order to remove it. However, most boot removers require stepping on the boot remover or one of its parts with the second foot to immobilize the remover on the floor or to activate the gripping arms, or they require stepping on the remover and helping with a hand. Stepping on the boot remover with the second foot is difficult for people whose movement ability is restricted because it usually requires keeping two feet in a straight line, in close proximity to one another.

Yet another disadvantage of the existing boot removers is that they are designed for healthy, young people. The boot removers require a considerable amount of force to operate and are thus unsuitable for people weakened by age, disease or other factors. No device exists to assist the elderly, disabled or seriously overweight people in removing their footwear while allowing them to exert minimal force and keep their balance.

What is needed is a footwear removal device that allows the user to safely remove footwear with minimal effort, can be used as a walking cane, and can be used to reach or retrieve objects, including shoes, off the floor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention meets the current need for a superior footwear removal device. A novel combination footwear removal device, walking cane and object retriever are provided. Use of only one hand to hold the device is required, and the user can rely on the footwear removal device as a cane for support while removing articles of footwear. The embodiment of the invention with a support member provides much better stability than any conventional cane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These features, aspects and advantages of the improved footwear removal device will become further understood with reference to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination footwear removal device, cane and object retriever, showing the use of the combination device;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view along line 2-2 of the footwear removal device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line 3-3 of a recess shape in a shoe removing member of the footwear removal device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional plan view along line 44 of the shoe removing member of the footwear removal device of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the footwear removal device of FIG. 1 where the attachment location of the shoe removing member is variable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is directed to an improved footwear removal device, cane and object retriever. The footwear removal device may be used for many purposes, including, but not limited to, removing shoes or other footwear, using the device as a walking cane, using it to pick up objects off the floor, using it to move objects out of reach closer to the user, and hanging umbrellas on the embodiment of the device with a handle.

A preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 through 5. With reference to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment is a footwear removal device 10 comprising an elongated member 20 with a first end 22 and a second end 24 and a shoe removing member 30 with a distal end 32 and a proximal end 34. The elongated member 20 is preferably dimensioned so that it can serve as a walking cane. The distal end 32 of the shoe removing member 30 forms a recess shape suitable for removing footwear, and the proximal end 34 of the shoe removing member 30 is attached between the first end 22 and the second end 24 of the elongated member 20. Alternatively, the proximal end of the shoe removing member 30 can be attached to the second end of the elongated member 20. Then, the footwear removal device 10 can be used by moving it downwardly by hand to remove the article of footwear, while the footwear remains at rest low above ground, or the toe part of the footwear is on the ground and the heel is elevated.

The preferred embodiment further includes a support member 40 attached to the second end of the elongated member 20 and arranged to hold the elongated member 20 in an operational, or generally upright, position. The support member 40 can be used to assist the user to walk, to reach objects and move them closer to the user, and to lean upon or help with the balance of the user, including leaning on the footwear device 10 while removing footwear. The bottom of the support member 40 is preferably substantially planar, which provides a larger surface area for more stable support, to facilitate easier walking and balancing.

The shoe removing member 30 and the support member 40 may have cooperating bores therethrough for insertion and attachment of the elongated member 20, or the shoe removing member 30 and the support member 40 may be attached by other means.

A wide variety of attachment means can be used to interconnect the elements of the device, depending on the material used for the device (i.e. plastics, wood, metals, carbon fiber, or any other suitable material). A screw 45 may be used as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. The following list of alternative attachment means that may be used is illustrative only and is not intended as a limitation: glue, nails, bolts, hinges, pins, spring-loaded pins, couplings, collars, or a combination thereof. Certain parts or the whole device may be preformed (i.e. by plastics molding).

The preferred embodiment of the footwear removal device 10 further includes a handle 50 attached to the first end of the elongated member 20 and configured for grasping by a person's hand. The handle 50 preferably has an aperture 60 adapted for hanging the footwear removal device 10. The handle 50 may itself be used for tasks such as hanging umbrellas, hats or other articles while the footwear removal device is at rest in the operational position or standing substantially upright while being supported by the support member 40.

The use of the preferred embodiment of the footwear removal device 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2: the user holds the handle 50 while the support member 40 is positioned on the floor or the ground. The user may lean on the footwear removal device 10 to help the user retain balance. The user then positions the article of footwear to be removed in the recess formed in the distal end of the shoe removing member 30 so that the shoe is immobilized at the heel or above the heel, as shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 5. The user then moves the foot upwardly, starting with the heel as shown in FIG. 2, thus removing the article of footwear. The drawings show a lace-up shoe being removed, but the device may be used for any similar kind of footwear, including but not limited to loafers and boots.

The position of the shoe removing member 30 may be adjustable between the first end 22 and the second end 24 of the elongated member 20 by including a coupling cooperating with the elongated member 20 to select the position of the shoe removing member 30 between the first end 22 and the second end 24 of the elongated member 20.

FIG. 5 illustrates that the coupling may be a thumbscrew 65, used to secure the shoe removing member 30 in place between the first and second ends of the elongated member 20, thus making the position of the shoe removal member 30 adjustable up and down, along the length of the elongated member 20. In the alternative, a more permanent adjustable attachment means may be a clip or a set of pre-drilled holes, spaced along the elongated member 20 and capable of accepting a bolt, a screw, a thumbscrew, a pin, or a spring-loaded pin.

The recess for removing footwear formed by the distal end of the shoe removing member 30 may flare downwardly to exert a better hold on the footwear for its removal.

In the preferred embodiment, the distal end 32 of the shoe removing member 30 and the distal end 42 of the support member 40 are facing generally opposite directions to each other as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

The footwear removal device 10 may further be constructed from a combination cane assembly, having a shaft 20 with an upper end 22 and a lower end 24, a handle 50 attached to the upper end 22 of the shaft, and a shoe removing member 30 attached by its proximal end 34 between the upper end 22 and the lower end 24 of the shaft 20 and forming, by its distal end, a recess shape formed to remove footwear.

The footwear removal device 10 may further include a support member 40 attached to the lower end 24 of the shaft 20 and arranged to hold the shaft 20 in an operational, or generally upright, position. The bottom surface of the support member 40 is preferably substantially planar to provide better support.

The handle 50 may further include an aperture 60 adapted for hanging the footwear removal device 10. The shoe removing member 30 may include a coupling cooperating with the shaft 20 to select the position of the shoe removing member 30 between the upper end 22 and the lower end 24 of the shaft 20. The recess in the shoe removing member 30 may flare downwardly to secure a better hold on the footwear for its removal. 

1. A footwear removal device, comprising: an elongated member having a first end and a second end; and a shoe removing member having a distal end forming a recess shape and formed to remove footwear and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end is attached between the first end and the second end of said elongated member.
 2. The footwear removal device of claim 1, further comprising a support member attached to the second end of said elongated member and arranged to hold said elongated member in an operational position.
 3. The footwear removal device of claim 2, wherein a bottom surface of said support member is substantially planar.
 4. The footwear removal device of claim 2, further comprising a handle configured for grasping by a person attached to the first end of said elongated member.
 5. The footwear removal device of claim 4, wherein said handle has an aperture adapted for hanging said footwear removal device.
 6. The footwear removal device of claim 2, wherein said shoe removing member includes a coupling cooperating with said elongated member to select the position of said shoe removing member between the first end and the second end of said elongated member.
 7. The footwear removal device of claim 2, wherein the recess in said shoe removing member flares downwardly.
 8. A footwear removal device, comprising: an elongated member having a first end and a second end; a shoe removing member having a distal end forming a recess shape and formed to remove footwear and a proximal end attached between the first end and the second end of said elongated member; and a support member, attached to the second end of said elongated member and arranged to hold said elongated member in an operational position, having a proximal end attached to the second end of said elongated member and a distal end, wherein the distal end of said shoe removing member and the distal end of said support member are facing generally opposite directions to each other.
 9. The footwear removal device of claim 8, further comprising a handle configured for grasping by a person attached to the first end of said elongated member.
 10. The footwear removal device of claim 9, wherein said handle has an aperture adapted for hanging said footwear removal device.
 11. The footwear removal device of claim 8, wherein said shoe removing member includes a coupling cooperating with said elongated member to select the position of said shoe removing member between the first end and the second end of said elongated member.
 12. The footwear removal device of claim 8, wherein the recess in said shoe removing member flares downwardly.
 13. A cane assembly, comprising: a shaft having an upper end and a lower end; a handle attached to the upper end of said shaft; and a shoe removing member having a distal end forming a recess shape and formed to remove footwear and a proximal end attached between the upper end and the lower end of said shaft.
 14. The cane assembly of claim 13, further comprising a support member attached to the lower end of said shaft and arranged to hold said shaft in an operational position.
 15. The cane assembly of claim 14, wherein a bottom surface of said support member is substantially planar.
 16. The cane assembly of claim 13, wherein said handle has an aperture adapted for hanging said footwear removal device.
 17. The cane assembly of claim 13, wherein said shoe removing member includes a coupling cooperating with said shaft to select the position of said shoe removing member between the upper end and the lower end of said shaft.
 18. The cane assembly of claim 13, wherein the recess in said shoe removing member flares downwardly. 